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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

James Ijames Shares His Thoughts on Eurydice

Broad Street Interviewer, Tara Lynn Johnson, recently posed some questions for our esteemed Director, James Ijames, on his production of Eurydice. We're thrilled to offer this exclusive interview!

Johnson: Tell me about Eurydice and what it's
about in your own words.

Ijames: Eurydice is
about holding on to the things we love and also letting go of the things we
love. It's about fathers and daughters. It's about how to love across great
distances.

Johnson: Tell me about directing. What are the
challenges? What's fun about it?

Ijames: I think the
biggest challenge is finding space for my ideas/vision in relationship to the
collaborators around me so that the final piece of art is something we all
created together. That's a beautiful thing to balance but is not without
difficulty. My favorite part is tech. When it all comes together and the magic
happens.

Johnson: Tell me about Ruhl's writing and style.
What do you like about it? What's unique about it? What's your favorite thing
about it?

Ijames: Sarah Ruhl is
one of the greatest writers of her generation. I love her use of magic and
whimsy but her plays are very sturdy. I think of Sarah Ruhl's plays in much the
same way I consider a gothic church. There is so much happening, and it hard to
take it all in, but they are always reaching for the sublime.

Johnson: Tell me a little about your cast. How
are the kids doing with the material?

Johnson: Tell me why people should attend a
Villanova production and this one in particular.

Ijames: It's going to be
a fresh take on a play that has been done quite a bit. We have worked really
hard to make the world feel very immediate even when in the moments that live
in nostalgia. Also, the design and acting is pretty terrific. You wanna see it!

Villanova Theatre’s
production of Eurydice opens tonight
and runs through October 4th. Get your tickets at www.villanovatheatre.org or call us
at 610-519-7474.